Industry News

Rockville, Md.-based BAE Systems has completed its six-story, 211,000-sf office and engineering facility in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. Designed by Turpit & Potter Architects, the facility is accompanied by a five-story, 340,000-sf parking structure. The $26-million expansion project was built by San Diego contractor Harper Construction. BAE's Technology Drive Campus now totals over 757,000-sf.

The Universityof Albertais creating the $120-million National Institute for Nanotechnology. The Canadian federal government, through the National Research Council, will jointly fund the world-class research center with the Province of Alberta, each contributing $60 million over five years. As an interim measure, the Institute will occupy about 20,000 square feet on the sixth floor of the newly completed Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Facility (ECERF).

Biotech firm Celgene's move into a 78,000-sf Towne Centre Court facility in San Diego will enable the firm to hire an additional 60 scientists. Programs, possibly in neurology, will also be expanded.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N.Y., has selected Tishman Construction Corp. of Boston as construction manager for its new Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center. Housing several venues, the multipurpose facility will include a 400-seat recital theater and a 1,200-seat auditorium.

Medical equipment distributor Medline Industries will establish its distribution center for Virginia and the Carolinas in the recently purchased CenterPoint I warehouse in Research Triangle Park. The two-year-old facility totals 323,000 sf. Medline will vacate its existing 60,000-sf space in Durham's Research Tri Center.